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Author
Topic: Welcome back, Ann! (Read 4859 times)

As some of you may have noticed, Ann wasn't around much in the forums since her recent birthday. Please read her new blog posting for the reasons why.

We barely kept this place running with out her, and I'm really glad she's back. I hate the fact that she's been hurt like this, but I also know her strength. From one sailor to another, I know she'll weather this storm.

So sorry to learn about what you're going through, but I'm glad you were able to write about it. You said "I’ve not been active in the Forums because I felt so totally empty and had nothing at all to give." Perfectly understandable. I also think with all that you've given to these forums, it would be more than appropriate to get some of that support back. Especially in times like this when we feel vulnerable. Thanks for sharing. Glad to see you back.

So good to have you back. I know the other goderators missed you! I was really saddened when I read your blog, but you write with such honesty and passion, I know you will get through this. I posted a comment on the blog site. Missed you-

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Welcome back Ann!I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles...been there, done that, and it hurts. You have good friends here. Don't hesitate to borrow an ear or a shoulder.You've been here for many of us, and we--in turn--are here for you.My best wishes.Craig

Welcome back honey, and I am so sorry to hear about what has happened.When your heart is hurt, it is sometimes harder to recover than from any "physical" ailments. Please know that you are loved by so many people, around the globe. I hope that gives you some comfort.

Much love to you,

Alan

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Thank you everyone, not only those of you who responded in this thread (and one or two others posted on my behalf recently) but also those of you who sent PMs. I really appreciate your words of love and support and I thank you all from the bottom of my (somewhat tattered) heart. Thank you too, those of you who offered support and sympathetic ears through programs outside the forum. I probably would have been a basket case without you all.

I haven't even begun to reply to the PMs - hopefully tomorrow. It's taken me ages to catch up after my absence and quite frankly, my head has been spinning with it all. I think I'm pretty much caught up now, except for PMs.

As for the other stuff going on in my life, I'm pretty much over the shock now and back on an even keel. I've ventured out a few times in the past few days to get reacquainted with old friends (and a very dear one in particular) and that's helped a lot. I don't think I realised how many friends I'd let go by the wayside these past eight years and it did my heart good to see how happy they were to see me. It's been a tonic getting back in touch.

As a very dear friend likes to say;

"C'est la vie,C'est la guerre,C'est l'amour."

(I used to throw it back to him, changing the last line to "say no more", said with a )

I'd like to leave you all with another thing this dear friend of mine likes to randomly drop (sing) into a conversation;

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Ann just read your blog and sorry to hear about the shit you've had to go through. You're a tough smart lady and I have no doubt with time you'll rise out of this stronger than before.

Best wishes and glad you're back posting in the forums too!

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"Get your medical advice from Doctors or medical professionals who you trust and know your history."

"Beware of the fortune teller doom and gloomers who seek to bring you down and are only looking for company, purpose and validation - not your best physical/mental interests."

"You know you all are saying that this is incurable. When the real thing you should be saying is it's not curable at the present time' because as we know, the great strides we've made in medicine." - Elizabeth Edwards

You probably won't remember me, and I haven't been on here in months.....

But I am Steve, also known as Fritzie. I have the partner who had a few strokes starting in 2004, and I remember you responding to me during an awful time in my life. After Sam had his initial stroke, and then my learning that he was HIV/HEPC positive, I didn't think that my life would ever stop twirling.

It has, and both Sam and I are doing well. He is still my "rock" in this world, and although life puts us through many challenges, we find strength to get us through them.

I found mine through AIDSmeds with a great group of people that cared enough to help a naive 40 something year old guy, get through some of the toughest times in his life.